Two Naxalites killed in encounter in Orissa

Malkangiri, May 30 (UNI) Two Naxalites were killed and three injured during an encounter with Orissa and Andhra Pradesh Police at Teakguda, about 70 kms from here today.

Sunabeda Range Deputy Inspector General of police Sudhansu Sharanghi told newsmen that acting on a tip-off, a joint team of Orissa and Andhra Pradesh police party intensified the combing operation at Teakguda to flush out the left-wing ultras.

He said when the Naxalites attacked the police party, the force retaliated, killing two and injuring three. The encounter continued for more than an hour.

Incidentally, the encounter took place at a time when Director General of Police Suchit Das and state Home Secretary Santosh Kumar were reviewing a meeting at Koraput attended by District Collectors and Superintendent of four naxalite-dominated districts.

Mr Sharanghi said the bodies of the naxalites had been identified.

They belonged to the local Kalimela Dalam of Malkangiri district.

The police have arrested the three injured Naxalites while the bodies of the other Naxalites were brought to Malkangiri for post- mortem. Additional force had been mobilised in the area after the incident to launch intensive combing operation.

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